Review of Ford Probe Car

Ford Probe SUV introduced in 1989 by Ford car Company to replace the Ford EXP as the company’s sport compact. The probe was fully based on the Mazda 9 platform considering it’s unique sheet metal and interior. The instrument cluster and pop up headlight mechanisms seem to be fully borrowed from the FC RX-7 model.

Although the model was sold worldwide as a sporty coupe, the Ford Probe was intended to fill the market formally occupied by Ford Capri(an earlier model) in Europe. Also despite the fact that it was intended to be a replacement of the Ford EXP, it was also considered a possible replacement for the Ford Mustang in the North America market such as in Canada as a direct competitor with the Acura Integra and the Toyota.

During the time of production and release to market time, Ford’s market team had deemed that a front wheel platform would have lower cost for production and also because the Probe platform and been gaining popularity with the consumers they anticipated major sales worldwide.

Background of the Ford Probe

Starting in the late 1970’s Ford and Ghiu started exploring a series of futuristic designs with the ‘Probe’ 1979, which had a wedge-shaped design and they incorporated a number of drag reducing features like covered rear wheels and pop-up headlights. This features were later followed the next year by the much more conventional looking Probe II whose hatchback styling was also reminiscent of the the amazing pony cars.

The 1981 Probe III was revered as an advocacy demonstrator with covered wheels, but it’s body work evolved into a more conventional Ford model and it’s styling notes that were used on Ford Taurus.

The production of the 1982 Probe IV had a totally different aspect featuring a more radical concept car with a low CD and it literally evolved into equally radical 1984 Probe V.

It should be noted that after the 1974 energy crisis, and consequently the economic slump initiated by high fuel prices are the factors which promote Ford to give the Ford Mustang a major and unique redesign. The new design would be based on a totally new platform introduced to Ford by a Japanese car maker and also by Ford’s major partner, Mazda.

But when the new generation of the Ford Mustang neared its release date, oil prices significantly dropped to an all time low and Ford Mustang buyers expressed their displeasure in the style of the proposed replacement. This induced Ford to eventually released the car, but not as a Ford Mustang but as the Ford Probe.

Since Ford had previously worked with their Australian division to create and introduce a new redesigned Ford Capri, also based on Mazda engineering and which was later introduced in North America as the 1989- 1994 Mercury Capri roadster it meant that they had a joint agreement for the model. Hence the Ford Probe is a product of the joint ford and Mazda venture called the Auto alliance.